"Headlines point to positive news for manufacturing on many fronts. Advance technology and operational innovations are making manufacturing exciting again. Advances like nanotechnology, 3D printing, big data, robotics, and the Internet of Things keep manufacturers and suppliers on high alert, watching for the next big idea that is going to rock their world. The accelerated rate of change can be both invigorating and alarming, as it places operational challenges on manufacturers," Pope notes.

"Turning to cloud deployment is one of the most effective ways manufacturers can increase their agility. … More and more manufacturers are taking advantage of cloud deployment for their critical ERP solution, not just edge applications. According to a recent independent survey, 60 percent of organizations globally are using some type of software-as-a-service solution."